Disneyland California - How Long?

blindman

We took the kids to WDW (Florida) about 20 years ago at Christmas and New Year.

That was our first USA trip and it was a last minute Teletext trip so fairly cheap.

Xmas day was no problem, but made the mistake of leaving the parks on New Years Eve (had to pick up the kids) and then we couldn't get back in as it was full. :eek:

Only bonus was they opened up a sports ground (somewhere) and my missus got to see her favourite band play- The Monkees!
Went to bed early that night and sober :eek:

This time I'm a more savvy traveller and the (Disney) trip is for my grandson really (honest!). We may be in the park on Xmas day (his 3rd day) and then leave for San Diego.
Our bit of the holiday is New Years Eve in Las Vegas

Still planning though.

llamahead

I think you may be using him as an excuse!:rolleyes:

We are hoping to go to Vegas in May (funds dependent) I think I may be your stalker as I'm following you round the world!

Feel really excited about our trip now I've started researching it.

LH

FiFi_Mad_Mum

Forgot to click remember me so will try again!
Five years since our last trip but we have been to California/Nevada seven times and Disneyland six times, so forgive me if things have changed.
DL do a spectacular show called fantasmic (it was there 1st), get someone to reserve a spot at least 1 hr before, maybe more, a good spot is up near where the VIP's sit and the big light towers are. Sorry I don't know what California Adventure is like as it is fairly new and I have been told it isn't suitable for younger children. I would say a 3/4 day pass unless you want to dash about like mad to fit all the rides in, look at all the rides you want to go in and count in waiting times. I look back fondly to the days in the 90's when the park used to be half full but not the last two times, it was very busy, probably like Florida although I have never been there. You can come out at lunch time and there is a McD's, Dennys, IHOP etc. almost opposite the entrance on Harbour Blvd.
Are you staying at the Hilton for all of your holiday? Southern California is massive and rush hour lasts until about 10, so be prepared if your giong anywhere. Universal Studios is about 1 1/2 hrs drive which is why we stayed on Sunset Boulevard after the second time we went. All the studios do tours and we enjoyed the Warner Brothers one, you have a tour of a maximum ten people at a time, we stood on the set of ER and sat on the Central Perk couch! Legoland is about 1 hrs drive and that's not allowing for getting lost (we always get lost, we have seen less nice places in Cal.) Seaworld and San Diego Zoo, San Diego Old Town and San Diego are all at least 1 1/2 hrs drive. San Diego Wild Animal Park is good and used to do a thing called 'Roar and Snore' which puts camping in a new light (haven't tried it yet!). Further south is Tijuana which is just over the border in Baja California where you can get bargains but go in the morning when it is quiet unless you are not affected by beggars. You park your car at a car park near the border and they run a bus there and back, just don't buy any Cuban cigars! Newport Beach is nice and not far from Anaheim, Venice Beach (home to Muscle Beach) is worth seeing and about 1 hr drive. Santa Monica (the pier with the ferris wheel) is nice and about 1 - 2 hrs drive, MSE tip, park in the shopping mall in the middle of the SM shopping district and I think you get two hours free. If you go to Hollywood Boulevard (Walk of Fame - stars, Manns Chinese Theatre - handprints, Pretty Woman) about 1 1/2 at least, please be careful with any belongings on your person. Rodeo Drive with the Beverley Wiltshire (Pretty Woman) at the bottom, also Beverley Hills are worth visiting if like me you must do the tourist thing. When driving in LA lock all your car doors!
Buy yourself an unnofficial guide to Southern California and enjoy
HTH FiFi, couldn't find jealous

llamahead

Fifi, thanks so much for that great advice. We are staying in the Hilton for 7 nights, we have 3 nights in Santa Monica and then down to San Diego for a few nights.

FiFi_Mad_Mum

llamahead wrote: »

Fifi, thanks so much for that great advice. We are staying in the Hilton for 7 nights, we have 3 nights in Santa Monica and then down to San Diego for a few nights.

We love San Diego, the climate is so nice there, if you get a chance go over to Coronada, it is so peaceful and you get to see the San Diego skyline from a distance, you can go over by either ferry or car over a big sweeping bridge.
MSE tip when in Santa Monica is to go to Paramount Movie Ranch where lots of things have been filmed and it is free (I haven't been but wanted to go and left the directions behind - doh).
I could go on for ever but there is too much for one trip, you'll want to go back for more.
Just remember DL WILL be busy in July!
FiFi